Before you kick the year off with a new diet and exercise regimen, watch tips on how to do it correctly.
Information and Resources
Understanding Addison's Disease -- Diagnosis & Treatment
How Is Addison's Disease Diagnosed?
Before starting treatment, a doctor has to be sure a person has Addison's disease. In its early stages, Addison's disease can be difficult to diagnose. Often, it's first detected through routine tests done in a hospital or doctor's office. But the most definitive way to diagnose the condition is to measure hormone levels in the blood and urine before and after giving ACTH. ACTH is a hormone that, when activated, normally increases the amount of cortisol being produced by the adrenal gland.
X-rays, CT scans, and a tuberculosis skin test may also be used to help pinpoint the cause.
Important It is possible that the main title of the report Addison's Disease is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
Read the Addison's Disease article > >
What Are the Treatments for Addison's Disease?
Since Addison's disease is basically a lack of normal hormones, it can be treated by replacing those hormones. This can be done with once- or twice-daily tablets of hydrocortisone, a steroid hormone. If needed, aldosterone can be replaced with a synthetic form (called Florinef or fludrocortisone acetate), which is taken once a day by mouth. These medications need to be increased during times of stress, infection, surgery, or injury.
Treatment is almost always completely successful. When treated, people with Addison's disease can lead a full and normal life. It is, however, important to carry a medic alert bracelet and card at all times as well as keeping a small supply of medications at work or school. Even missing one dose can be dangerous.
In patients suspected of having an Addisonian crisis, doctor-prescribed injections of salt, fluids, and glucocorticoid hormones may be given immediately -- even before a diagnosis of Addison's disease is confirmed.
WebMD Medical Reference
Hot Topics
- Which Drugstore Tooth Whiteners Work Best?
- Kids' Top 6 Worries and How to Fix Them
- Surprising Headache Triggers
- Safe Ways to Lose Weight Fast
- Counting Carbs When You Use Insulin
- Fibromyalgia: Symptoms and Treatments
- CML: How It Affects Your Body
- 6 Sex Mistakes Men Make
- Dupuytren's Contracture: What You Need to Know
- Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
WebMD Video: Now Playing
FROM CBS NEWS
Online dating downsides, romantic tattoo gone wrong: HealthPop Valentine's Day video
Is online dating better than doing it the old fashioned way? Also, an 83-year-old woman gets a new jaw from a 3D printer; And, turns out - tattooing your penis isn't a good idea.

